Best friends Maeghan Radice and Audrey Jongens, both 26, have gained significant attention on TikTok with their account, @TheVIPList, where they post bold and often controversial restaurant reviews focused mainly on New York eateries. Their honest and sometimes harsh critiques have attracted a following of nearly half a million, but not without consequences; they’ve been banned by various reservation services due to their scathing comments.
Radice and Jongens have made headlines with reviews that can be incendiary. For instance, they branded a chicken dish from Mavericks Montauk as a “hate crime” and expressed feeling “PTSD” from a visit to a Hamptons steakhouse. Their review of the Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Rezdora, described it as “unbelievably underwhelming” and left them perplexed.
The duo fearlessly shares their experiences, including a notorious review of Casa Tua, where they claimed to have received a $500 tin of supermarket caviar. In another review, they quipped that the portion sizes at Casa Tua were so minuscule that they felt “borderline confused” by the food served.
Radice stated, “We’re not going to be censored. We’re just really opinionated.” Their candid feedback resonates with followers, as demonstrated by the significant amount of views their reviews garner, including one from Casa Tua, which reached over 142,000 views.
However, their criticisms have drawn ire from some restaurant owners. Lindsi Shine, CEO of Insider NYC, detailed how they had to inform their restaurant partners to notify them if The VIP List duo were making reservations, warning that their presence could adversely affect a restaurant’s reputation and financial standing. Following the review, Casa Tua updated its caviar labels but has yet to invite the pair back for a follow-up review.
Although they’ve faced backlash, Radice and Jongens are open to returning to previously criticized restaurants for a second round. They emphasize their credibility by clarifying they are not the type to ask for free meals, as they prefer to pay for their dining experiences and offer honest opinions.
Their reputation has garnered attention, with some chefs welcoming their reviews as valuable feedback, illustrating how their influencing approach has taken off in the dining scene. Radice highlighted confidence noted from some of the best chefs in the industry, stating, “We’re friends with some of the top chefs in New York and they want us at their places because they want the feedback.”
For their followers, Radice and Jongens continue to deliver both scathing critiques and glowing reviews, showcasing the vibrant and often controversial world of New York City’s dining experience.